Nebraska at Michigan State - 2026 Matchup Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Michigan State Spartans

Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Spartan Stadium - East Lansing, MI

Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

MSU is playing their 4th straight game
NEB is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Nebraska -5 (SP+ NEB -9.5)
Projected Score: NEB: 29 - MSU: 24 (52)
NEB Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
NEB Travel: 643 miles, 1 hrs behind

Spartans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pat Fitzgerald (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 30 (25 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
NEB Players
MSU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Nebraska's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Nebraska vs Ohio	-16
Sat 9/12	Nebraska vs Bowling Green	-22.5
Sat 9/19	Nebraska vs North Dakota	-29
Sat 9/26	Nebraska at Michigan State	-5
Sat 10/3	Nebraska vs Maryland	-6
Sat 10/10	Nebraska vs Indiana	+20.5
Sat 10/17	Nebraska at Oregon	+22.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31	Nebraska vs Washington	+10
Sat 11/7	Nebraska at Illinois	+8
Sat 11/14	Nebraska at Rutgers	-4.5
Sat 11/21	Nebraska vs Ohio State	+21.5
Fri 11/27	Nebraska at Iowa	+10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule

Michigan State's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Michigan State vs Toledo	-3
Sat 9/12	Michigan State vs Eastern Michigan	-13
Sat 9/19	Michigan State at Notre Dame	+31
Sat 9/26	Michigan State vs Nebraska	+5
Sat 10/3	Michigan State at Wisconsin	+3.5
Sat 10/10	Michigan State vs Illinois	+10.5
Sat 10/17	Michigan State vs Northwestern	+3
Sat 10/24	Michigan State at UCLA	+2.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7	Michigan State at Michigan	+20
Sat 11/14	Michigan State vs Washington	+18
Sat 11/21	Michigan State vs Oregon	+25
Sat 11/28	Michigan State at Rutgers	+3.5

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NEB	#77 (.16)	46% (27)	28.7	48% (22)	3.16 (29)	148	45% (36)	225	3.93 (50)	#101 (.21)	43% (88)	24.6	47% (117)	39% (38)	4.37 (128)	43.5	0.8	1
MSU	#97 (.12)	42% (79)	24.6	42% (84)	2.56 (128)	123	42% (67)	223	3.75 (64)	#104 (.21)	45% (115)	29.9	47% (121)	44% (103)	3.91 (93)	44.9	1	0.8

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NEB		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
MSU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NEB Offense	13	28.7	19.5	46.2%	3.93	0.8	20	372	148	225	4.3	49%	49%	48%	45%	13%	.16
MSU Defense	12	29.9	27.8	45.2%	3.91	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	47%	44%	14%	.21

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NEB Defense	13	24.6	28.3	43.2%	4.37	1	-	-	-	-	-	55%	43%	47%	39%	14%	.21
MSU Offense	12	24.6	24.8	41.7%	3.75	1	19	345	123	223	3.8	47%	51%	42%	42%	18%	.12

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Nebraska	13	30:35	20.3	46%	36%	4.6	43.5	0.8	1	5	1.7	2	31.8
Michigan State	12	30:11	18.8	35%	44%	5.3	44.9	1	0.8	4.7	1.8	1	27.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NEB Offense	13	49% (68)	48% (22)	34.2	147.8	4.3	20 (60)	.13 (63)	3.16 (29)	76% (44)	9% (53)	0.81 (125)
MSU Defense	12	49% (53)	47% (121)	-	-	-	-	.16 (101)	2.87 (66)	81% (125)	9% (97)	0.91 (44)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NEB Defense	13	55% (122)	47% (117)	-	-	-	-	.25 (132)	3.25 (121)	79% (119)	10% (62)	1.12 (128)
MSU Offense	12	47% (90)	42% (84)	32.3	122.7	3.8	16 (60)	.06 (96)	2.56 (128)	65% (109)	13% (131)	0.95 (73)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NEB Offense	13	49% (72)	45% (36)	20	29.1	224.6	7.7	11.2	23 (14)	7 (60)	.22 (83)	1.4 (128)	25% (5)	32% (52)	.39 (35)	4% (11)	1.9 (94)
MSU Defense	12	49% (83)	44% (103)	-	-	-	-	-	-	5 (100)	.32 (103)	1.5 (34)	29% (111)	30% (74)	.33 (86)	5% (114)	2.1 (88)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NEB Defense	13	43% (10)	39% (38)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (100)	.19 (44)	1.5 (25)	31% (87)	35% (128)	.44 (127)	5% (122)	2 (47)
MSU Offense	12	51% (52)	42% (67)	20	31.5	222.7	7.1	11.1	20 (50)	6 (34)	.24 (74)	1.4 (112)	30% (54)	30% (78)	.37 (44)	5% (23)	2.1 (49)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 5.20 #42
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 16.99 #25
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 16.79 #67
2026 Talent Rating: 956.00 #21
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #24
Nebraska's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Nebraska's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.2 #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8 #56
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.7 #44

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 5.20 Michigan State: 0.675

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.2 Michigan State: -3.4

Michigan State's Power Ratings
Michigan State's Power Rating: 0.675 #60
Michigan State's Offense Rating: 12.05 #61
Michigan State's Defense Rating: 17.30 #69
2026 Talent Rating: 786.00 #59
Blue Chip Ratio: 12 #6
Michigan State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Michigan State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.4 #82
Michigan State's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6 #70
Michigan State's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.7 #81

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Nebraska 29
Michigan State 24

Projected Total Points: 52

Michigan State Scoring
Offense: 24.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.8
Defense: 29.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.8

Michigan State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	10/04	Nebraska	38	Michigan State	27	Nebraska -12.5	Michigan State	48.5	Over
2023	11/04	Michigan State	20	Nebraska	17	Nebraska -3	Michigan State	34.5	Over
2021	09/25	Michigan State	23	Nebraska	20	Michigan State -3.5	Nebraska	55.0	Under
2018	11/17	Nebraska	9	Michigan State	6	Nebraska -1.5	Nebraska	48.5	Under
2015	11/07	Nebraska	39	Michigan State	38	Michigan State -4.5	Nebraska	55.5	Over
2014	10/04	Michigan State	27	Nebraska	22	Michigan State -8	Nebraska	0
2013	11/16	Nebraska	28	Michigan State	41	Michigan State -3.5	Michigan State	0
2012	11/03	Michigan State	24	Nebraska	28
2011	10/29	Nebraska	24	Michigan State	3
2003	12/29	Nebraska	17	Michigan State	3

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Michigan State	4	3	3 Overs
Nebraska	6	4	2 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	8 - 2	3 - 4	1 - 3	2 - 1
Road Teams	2 - 8	4 - 3	1 - 2	3 - 1

(#42) NEB at (#60) MSU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	NEB	MSU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#42	#60
SP+SP+	#46	#82
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#21	#59
Blue ChipsBC%	#24	#6

Nebraska Injury Report

Michigan State Injury Report

Nebraska on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	MSU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#27	#115
ExplosiveExp	#134	#30
PPAPPA	#77	#104
PowerPwr	#25	#69
SP+SP+	#56	#81
Pts POPPO	#50	#93
HavocHav	#23	#110

Nebraska Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	MSU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#22	#121
Run ExplRExp	#125	#44
PPAExp	#63	#101
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#29	#66
Stuff RateStuff	#19	#104
TackleTak	-	NR

Nebraska Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	MSU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#36	#103
Pass ExplPExl	#128	#34
PPAExp	#83	#103
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#53	#97
DB HavocDB	#11	#114

Michigan State on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	MSU Off	NEB Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#79	#88
ExplosiveExp	#97	#80
PPAPPA	#97	#101
PowerPwr	#61	#67
SP+SP+	#70	#44
Pts POPPO	#64	#128
HavocHav	#115	#100

Michigan State Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	MSU Off	NEB Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#84	#117
Run ExplRExp	#73	#128
PPAExp	#96	#132
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#128	#121
Stuff RateStuff	#132	#117
TackleTak	-	NR

Michigan State Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	MSU Off	NEB Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#67	#38
Pass ExplPExl	#112	#25
PPAExp	#74	#44
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#131	#62
DB HavocDB	#23	#122

Program Comparison
MSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Spartan Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
Nebraska beat Michigan State last year (38-27)
Michigan State beat Nebraska in 2023 (20-17)

NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)	275	417	66%	3459	23	9	8.3
TJ Lateef	74	123	60%	904	5	1	7.3

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)	127	650	10	5.1	37
Mekhi Nelson	27	147	2	5.4	38
Kwinten Ives	20	133	2	6.7	28
TJ Lateef	40	120	4	3.0	16

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nyziah Hunter	43	617	5	14.3	64
Kwazi Gilmer (Tr)	50	535	4	10.7	43
Jacory Barney Jr.	45	484	5	10.8	52
Luke Lindenmeyer	29	312	2	10.8	26

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Rex Guthrie	63	2	0	0	1
Vincent Shavers Jr.	61	8	1	1	0
Donovan Jones	59	2	0	0	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Williams Nwaneri	27	5	3	5	1
Kade Pietrzak	16	6	2	3	1
Cameron Lenhardt	23	3	2	3	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Donovan Jones	59	2	0	0	5
Victor Evans III (Tr)	41	1	0	0	4

MSU's OC Nick Sheridan (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Alessio Milivojevic	111	173	64%	1267	10	3	7.3
Cam Fancher (Tr)	41	72	57%	333	0	0	4.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Camryn Edwards	210	1240	15	5.9	73
Brandon Tullis	68	297	4	4.4	35
Jaziun Patterson (Tr)	60	296	0	4.9	17
Cam Fancher (Tr)	31	170	1	5.5	25

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chrishon Mccray	24	330	3	13.8	45
Camryn Edwards	19	186	1	9.8	34
KK Smith (Tr)	8	123	2	15.4	34
Brandon Tullis	11	82	0	7.5	24

View Michigan State's Full Roster

MSU's DC Joe Rossi (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jordan Hall	88	5	3	2	1
Kenny Soares Jr. (Tr)	80	4	1	6	2
Dion Crawford (Tr)	79	5	4	3	1
Malik Spencer	52	3	2	1	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Dion Crawford (Tr)	79	5	4	3	1
Jordan Hall	88	5	3	2	1
Malik Spencer	52	3	2	1	5
Anelu Lafaele	7	2	2	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Malik Spencer	52	3	2	1	5
Michael Richard Jr.	38	5	0	0	3
Tre Bell (Tr)	36	4	0	0	2